Is this too much?

[AppleJacks]

Howdy, I‘m very new to the world of classic Broncos and am excited to get mine running well. However much I’d like to do most of the work myself, I currently don’t have the space/time for a lot of it. Right now, my goal is to have it be mechanically safe and sturdy enough to be a daily driver. So far I have had the engine and trans replaced and am looking to do the same with my wiring harness. My question for everyone is what is a reasonable price to pay for a complete rewire? I found a classic Bronco specific shop nearby that quoted me roughly $13k for a total rewire including replacing all bulbs, switches, wiper motor and heater. I am no authority on these things but this seems pretty expensive. Thanks For any insight!

 

[Glass Pony]

Way too much. The best kit costs less than $1000.
https://www.wildhorses4x4.com/early...25467093797504&utm_content=Power & Electrical

 

[SLOWnEASY]

Where do you live?

 

[904Bronco]

Yes, the price seems excessive. I question the need to replace the wiper motor and heater blower motor, unless they don't work now.
Glass Pony is right, you can purchase the pre-loomed harness for less than $1k. There will be some limits to do custom things with it, that can be done with the Painless or AAW kits that cost more. It all depends on what you need.
I wonder what their hourly rate is?

 

[Broncobowsher]

That's the "I don't want to do the job" quote.
The throw every new part at it is also a money grab. They are taking a markup on the new parts. I trust many of the original parts better than modern replacements simply because parts quality on new stuff sucks.
Quick breakdown of price, about $2k in parts if they are throwing the kitchen sink at it. Assuming you are not doing a high end electronic ignition upgrade or audio upgrades at it as well. So roughly $11k in labor. The Painless kit I installed a long time ago, universal so I had to make everything route and work, not a Bronco specific, called 30-40 hours. So on the high end, 40 hours, $275 an hour. I'm not even sure Kindigit charges that much for show car work.

 

[ntsqd]

If you're anywhere near SoCA I know a guy. I understand that he has a waiting list.

 

[AppleJacks]

Where do you live?

SoCal

 

[AppleJacks]

That's the "I don't want to do the job" quote.
The throw every new part at it is also a money grab. They are taking a markup on the new parts. I trust many of the original parts better than modern replacements simply because parts quality on new stuff sucks.
Quick breakdown of price, about $2k in parts if they are throwing the kitchen sink at it. Assuming you are not doing a high end electronic ignition upgrade or audio upgrades at it as well. So roughly $11k in labor. The Painless kit I installed a long time ago, universal so I had to make everything route and work, not a Bronco specific, called 30-40 hours. So on the high end, 40 hours, $275 an hour. I'm not even sure Kindigit charges that much for show car work.

This was the same conclusion I came to, I’ve spoken with a few mechanics with experience requiring cars and they claimed this to be a pretty simple wiring job compared to most cars.

 

[AZ73]

It's pretty difficult to find a car easier to replace the wiring on than a Bronco. It's about as basic as you can get. If you purchase something like a painless set, it's even easier. All the lines are marked. And you don't need to replace any bulbs or switches unless there's something wrong with them. There's even some kits which have most of the switches. I quickly looked at one of the Bronco suppliers and their on sale now, although most suppliers offer a kit.

Painless Wiring Harness | 28-circuit | 66-77 Ford Bronco

Painless Performance Early Bronco Wiring Harness Revolutionize your 66-77 Ford Bronco with the ultimate wiring upgrade! The Painless 28-Circuit Direct Fit Wiring Harness is designed with input from Bronco enthusiasts to ensure flawless installation and performance. This comprehensive harness...

www.wildhorses4x4.com

 

[ba123]

Yeah, WAY WAY WAY too much.

You might as well try and do it yourself and if you really screw it up it won't cost you half that to buy another harness and have someone put it in that has experience.

Please say where you are. Someone on here prob knows someone who is capable and experiences. So many good peeps on here and on that note, if you try to do it yourself, there are SOOOO many people on here that we will fight to be the one who responds first to help you figure it out.

We all enjoy helping and getting help when we need it. Great place, great people, If you have to learn how to wire a car, a Bronco is more certainly the one to learn on. Also, doing it yourself will make you younger (even if it might make you feel like you're getting older at times) and if you have a problem down the road, it will be easier for you to figure out the problem yourself.

Wiring it NOT difficult. It's a creative process that you can make your own work of art with.

But again, if you really don't want to, say where you are and don't let some jackass who's gonna ream you like that do the work and laugh at you cause you fell for his stupid scam. $13k for a wiring harness in a Bronco makes me wanna puke. Maybe $2-3k would be more reasonable? really not sure, but not that much. I mean that's 130 hours at $100/hr to put it in perspective.

 

[Shimmy]

shops here in the PNW are 150-180 an hour. that's ~85hrs to complete, so over two weeks with one dude at a shop. i'd think a competent shop would take 2-3 days, 24hrs. 3600 + $1000=$4,600.00 plus tax.
is removing the dash truly needed for this? does the shop think the entire interior needs removing? lots of risk here for a shop that doesn't have the experience and sees a bunny trail of issues.

 

[Glass Pony]

is removing the dash truly needed for this? does the shop think the entire interior needs removing? lots of risk here for a shop that doesn't have the experience and sees a bunny trail of issues.

It makes it a lot easier to wire. I think it is only 5-7 bolts.

 

[.94 OR]

Pretty sure the windshield needs to be laid down to get the dash loose.
Or maybe I'm not remembering correctly.

 

[BroncoLew]

I just dropped my Bronco off to be rewired and was quoted $6-7k for a full rewire with an American Auto Wire harness and LED bulbs all around, except headlights. $13k is a bit steep.

 

[stout22]

Sounds like I need to go into the Bronco rewiring business. I hate wiring but at those numbers I could grow to love it.

 

[76YETI]

Had mine rewired for under $1600 with new Bronco specific Painless Kit.

 

[Blitzen72]

Maybe it's just me... but I'd want to rewire it myself so I know its done to my standards. Paying someone else to rewire my baby would be like paying someone to sleep with my wife because I was too busy - never gonna happen.

Seemed like the few times over the years I've let someone else install a car alarm or a stereo, I'm always disappointed in how someone else ran the wires. The early Bronco's wiring is about as simple as you could ask for... buy the harness and do it yourself.

Unless youre completely clueless or so swamped with work/family issues/life that you have zero free time for the next 6 months, I'll predict now you'll be glad down the road you did it yourself.

 

[ntsqd]

It's a fine line between encouraging someone who can do something but isn't sure of themselves because they've never done anything like it, and encouraging someone to jump in over their head. I get a lot of satisfaction in having done it myself, but some things, like ring & pinion set-ups, I won't do even though I have the special tools and the knowledge because I don't have the experience.

 

[Glass Pony]

Sounds like I need to go into the Bronco rewiring business. I hate wiring but at those numbers I could grow to love it.

Those numbers are enough to make me come out of retirement!

 

[DirtDonk]

The numbers will be all over the place. So I would recommend getting multiple quotes.
Don’t be afraid to go a little bit out of your city, to perhaps find a better deal, perhaps with someone who is even familiar with Broncos.
None of the quotes seem out of line, for where they are. But if you find a place who doesn’t have to pay $25,000 a month to rent their building, $40 an hour or more to their mechanics, who does rewiring regularly, and knows the ins and outs and can get it done in a more reasonable time, you’ll be much happier.
After all, in Southern California, no mechanic or shop owner wants to drive three hours to work and then back home again every day, on peanuts, so they can afford to live.
So they charge enough to afford their more “local” lifestyle. Then again, as was already brought up, that could have been the “that’s really not something we do, and not something we want to take on” kind of a quote.
Maybe you’ll find someone with less of a lifestyle, or not.

But it wouldn’t hurt you either, to talk to one of the Bronco specific vendors in your area. Beach City Broncos is a member here and comes to mind. Mark is probably pretty backed up, but has probably done as many rewires as anyone, and more than most.
He could probably give you a very realistic quote for Southern California.
There are others as well, that people here could steer you towards.